Vintage Nike Gold over at archive.org

We were digging around and found a couple of great vintage Nike ads over at the Internet Archive. Shout out to ArchivistAndy for posting these Nike Daybreak (1980) and Nike Tailwind (1979) vintage print ads.

If you dig these old school Nike runners we still have a few pairs of new retro Daybreaks and Tailwinds in Black or Blue colorways left for sale over at our Rewind Running shop.

Nike Tailwind print ad info is below:

THE AURA OF AIR

Put yourself on pavement.
Hard miles alone.
After a pounding hour.

The shoe with air - Captured in the permanently inflated midsole channels. The shoe shown to have unequalled cushioning in state of the art testing.

But laboratory tests and technical specifications don't make this shoe. The ride does.

There's something happening there. You'll feel it. Your body in rhythm with the road.

The Nike Tailwind. We want you to try it.

NIKE

Nike Daybreak ad info is below:

TAKE TWO

BEFORE BREAKFAST.

First thing in the morning, feet can be a little cranky. Give them something to look forward to

The DAYBREAK. By NIKE.

Its unique forefoot cushioning will make those first few miles a lot less jarring. And this shoe is slip lasted. So it's light, flexible. You land and toe-off like nature intended.

The DAYBREAK. To start vour day off on the right foot.

NIKE

Nike Waffle Trainer 1977 "MADE FAMOUS BY WORD OF FOOT ADVERTISING." Vintage Sneaker Ad

Here’s a vintage 1970s vintage Nike Waffle Trainer print ad. This ad’s photography seems to have served as inspo and was riffed on later in 1979 by the Jaclar Ms. Miler runners here. The original vintage Nike ad is posted over at our Rewind Running web shop here.

Ad info is below:

MADE FAMOUS BY WORD OF FOOT ADVERTISING.

We don't have to tell you about the reputation of Nike running shoes. You already know. Because you're a serious runner. You've seen them on training tracks and fields all over the country.

You know them for their quality. Their lightweight, and long life. Mostly, you know them for the innovative design that always seems to show up first on Nike. We believed if we could build a shoe that was good enough to meet the demands of serious runners like you, the word would spread fast.

And it has. Today, our shoes do most of our advertising for us. And the name Nike is famous. We'd like to thank you for all the ads you've been running for us. On your feet.

NIKE

8285 SW Nimbus Ave. Suite 115

Beaverton, Oregon 97005

Vintage 1980 Nike Running Line vintage sneaker ad

Here’s a 1980 vintage Nike ad for their running line of shoes. This original vintage Nike sneaker print ad is available at our web store Rewind Running.

Ad info is below:

MOST OF THESE SHOES HAVE NO BUSINESS BEING ON YOUR FEET.

But among them are the shoes you were born for. Because they have been engineered for your foot type, gait pattern, body weight, even your age, sex and training schedule. You're not like every other runner. And you shouldn't have to pretend you are. That's why we spent years working with orthopedists, podiatrists, world class athletes and everyday runners. We wanted a line of shoes that had nothing to do with the so-called "average" runner. We wanted shoes that could help real people. With real and diverse characteristics. Now we've got them. For pronators, heel strikers. Big runners and small. For people who churn out 125 miles a week, and those who run a good ten. Shoes for the road, the trails and models for both. For feet that are flat or arched, rigid or flexible. The new Nike Running Line. Never again will you have to put in the other person's shoes.

NIKE

Beaverton, Oregon

Runners World 1977 women's running shoes 1970s vintage sneakers

This one is for the ladies. Here’s the cover for the Runner’s World 1977 women’s sneaker, flats and spikes rankings. The article features the Nike LD-1000, adidas Quicksilver, Etonic KM and some other old school runners.

Runners World 1977 Top 15 featuring Nike Elite 1970s vintage sneakers

Here’s the inside cover for the Runner’s World 1977 Top 15 Racing Flats section featuring the vintage Nike Elite runners.

Runners World 1977 Top 25 featuring Brooks, adidas and Nike 1970s vintage sneakers

Here’s the inside cover for the 1977 Runner’s World Top 25 rated training flats featuring the Brooks Vantage, adidas SL76 and Nike waffle vintage sneakers.

Nike 1978 ASP US Customs Tariff Fight Vintage Ad

The rarest Nike sneakers ever, The Nike ‘One Line’ shoes, are up for auction right now at Heritage Auctions so in the spirit of the auction we’re posting this related 1978 vintage ad by Nike. In this ad Nike asks the consumer to help them fight the tariff law by writing to them that they will pass along to Customs and Congress. In an interesting twist Nike aligns themselves with both Tiger and adidas brands in this ad.

Special thanks to friend of the blog Bob Smith for tipping us off to this ad.

Ad info is below:

HELP US GET THE U.S. GOVERNMENT'S BIG FINGERS OUT OF THE RUNNER'S POCKET.

We make good shoes. We like to sell them at a fair price.

But right now bureaucrats in U.S. Customs are making that very hard to do. They're using a 1931 tariff regulation to artificially increase the price you pay for running shoes.

This Depression-era regulation was intended to protect American shoe manufacturers against foreign companies flooding this country with imported canvas sneakers valued at 12￠per pair.

Quite a few things have changed since 1931. Fortunately, running shoes have. Unfortunately, this tariff regulation hasn't. And it's pulling money right out of your pocket.

We suffer, our retailers suffer, and worse yet, you suffer.

Wall Street lawyers and Washington lobbyists working on behalf of Converse and Uniroyal are pushing for these higher tariffs and pushing hard.

It's unfair that political pressure and lobbying can be used to force higher prices for high quality running shoes like NIKE, Tiger and Midas.

And if you don't believe there's pressure being put on Customs, we want you to hear what a Customs import specialist said to our president "If you weren't so - - - - - - - stupid, you'd know that this country is run by pressure groups. I'm under pressure and about to lose my job. Of course, if one side makes no noise and the other is applying all that pressure, we have got to go with the side that makes the noise—otherwise my head will roll'

We don't mind paying fair duties to protect American workers. After all, we are an American company. Our home office is here in Oregon and we have factories in Maine and New Hampshire.

What we do mind are arbitrary price increases that make runners pay more for good shoes.

So we're asking for your help. Write us a letter if you think this tariff regulation should be changed. We'll pass it along to Customs and Congress.

We're still a small outfit And we know a lot more about making good running shoes than we do about political pressure.

So let the Government listen to you. That should be why they are there.

NIKE
8285 SW Nimbus Avenue, Suite 115, Beaverton, Oregon 97005.

Nike Elite, Adidas, New Balance SuperComp, Brooks Vantage, and Tiger 1978 vintage sneaker ad

Here’s a 1978 vintage ad for Starting Line Sports featuring various 1970s running shoes including the Nike Elite, Adidas SL76 Runner, New Balance SuperComp, Brooks Vantage, Adidas TRX, Adistar 200-L and Tiger Spartan B. This original vintage Starting Line Sports print ad is available at our web store Rewind Running.

Ad info is below:

Step Up to the Starting Line in Our Shoes

A Nike Elite. A combination of lightness, sup-port and comfort make this shoe the most popular racing flat in America. Blue nylon with yellow trim. Sizes 6-12. $33.95

B Adidas Runner. Thick outer sole and flexible mid-sole make this training flat a partic-ularly good choice for the heavier runner. Yellow nylon mesh upper, blue stripes. Sizes 6-13. $37.95

C New Balance Super Comp. This racing flat has one of the best tread designs for com-bined traction and cushioning on wet and dry surfaces. Yellow/red/orange mesh with suede trim. Sizes 6-12, D width. $29.95 D Adidas TRX. An outstanding training flat with excellent cushioning in its molded poly-urethane mid-sole. Blue nylon uppers with yellow trim. Sizes 7-12. $29.95

E Brooks Vantage. The number 1 training flat features the varus wedge and self-molding in-sole for support and stability. Blue mesh ny-lon upper with white trim. Sizes 4-12 & 13, D width; Sizes 8-11, B & EE width. $28.95

F Adidas Adistar 2000-L. Quality construc-tion and lightness earned this distance spike the number 1 rating. Blue suede uppers with yellow stripes. Sizes 6-12. $56.95

G Tiger Spartan B. A long-standing favorite among racers with its flexible spike plate and light, comfortable nylon uppers. Gold with navy stripes. Sizes 7-13. $43.95

ORDER NOW!

STARTING LINE SPORTS
Box 8, Mountain View, CA 94042

Nike Eagle 1980 vintage sneaker ad

Here’s an old ad for the Nike Eagle running shoes from 1980 which at the time were the lightest racing shoes Nike had made.

Ad info is below:

THE EAGLE GIVES YOU ALMOST NOTHING TO BE EXCITED ABOUT.

When it comes to road racing flats, 5.1 ounces* is almost nothing. Each one weighs less than the box it comes in. That's the lightest racing flat we've ever made. As far as we know, it's the lightest production model ever made by anybody. And we think that's exciting. Especially when you consider this shoe has already clocked a 2:10 marathon. It's definitely not a training shoe. The Eagle is made to be worn on race day, like wearing your best pair of competition spikes. It combines an unusual spike-like design through the shank, a PermaFoam sockliner and a Variable Width Lacing System' to give you the best fitting performance shoe we've ever devised. And also the lightest. The Eagle, feather-weight champion of the road.

NIKE
Beaverton, Oregon

Nike Internationalist Give 'Em Hell 1981 vintage sneaker ad

We’re back kicking off 2022 strong with this 1981 vintage Nike ad for the Internationalist. Nike has brought back these runners for re-issues in recent years and we’re still fans.

Ad info is below:

GIVE 'EM HELL.

Don't leave the store with these shoes in a box. Put them on. And take the longest, cruelest way home possible. You won't be punished. Because we built the Internationalist for runners who think nothing of knocking off 75 to 100 miles a week. On asphalt, dirt, concrete and mud. That's when comfort isn't a luxury, but a necessity. That's when you need a shoe that can take it. With thick EVA sponge mid-sole. A PermaFoam insert that molds to the contour of your foot. And notched heel counter to eliminate pressure on the lower Achilles. The Internationalist is curve-lasted. with a Variable Width Lacing System for a perfect fit. And a revolutionary new Waffle outsole for greater stability. But if you're not ready to abuse this shoe, you're not ready to wear it. The Internationalist. Not for the faint of foot.

NIKE
Beaverton. Oregon

Vintage Nike LD-1000, Sting, Waffle trainer and Le Village 1977 sneaker ad

Here's another vintage 1977 ad featuring the Nike LD-1000, Sting, Waffle trainer and Le Village model sneakers.

Ad info is below:

SEND FOR A NIKE MAIL BOX.

As soon as we receive your order it's processed and shipped —usually the same day it arrives. Simply pick out the sportswear you want, fill in the coupon, and mail your order. Then, sit back and wait for the postman to arrive.

The LD-1000 $39.95
This is the shoe for you if you're looking for a super trainer. The revolutionary design helps reduce twist and shock. The patented waffle sole gives you better traction, and the wide flared heel gives you better running stability. Lightweight uppers of nylon mesh and suede. Comes in blue and yellow.

Nike Sting $34.95
Nike's lightweight marathon shoe features nylon mesh for strength, yet cool running. Suede leather toe reinforcing gives snug, comfortable fit. Unique suction sole delivers great traction on all road conditions. A big step forward in marathon shoes from Nike.

Athletic Dept Warmups $14.95
These comfortable nylon and cotton warmups are available in green with blue stripes, or blue with yellow stripes. Great style, great fit, great price.

Waffle Trainer $29.95
The Waffle Trainer features patented waffle sole for cushior: traction, yet minimum weight. Flat outer sole, beveled heel, tough nylon upper and the new bluer,' with bright yellow "swoosh'

Le Village $28.95
A beautiful stylish casual shoe with an athletic look. Soft, antique brown leather uppers. Cushier mid soles. As comfortable as they are long wearing.